Islamabad shares list of 324 Indian prisoners with New Dehli

New Dehli also shared a list of 362 Pakistani prisoners in India

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) shared a list of 324 Indian prisoners in Pakistan including 270 fishermen and 54 civil prisoners with the Indian High Commission in Islamabad on Wednesday.

"This step is consistent with the provisions of the Consular Access Agreement between Pakistan and India, signed on 21 May 2008, under which both countries are required to exchange lists of prisoners in each other’s custody twice a year, on 1st January and 1st July, respectively," a press release issued by the Foreign Office (FO) stated.

The communique maintained that the Indian government also simultaneously shared a list of 362 Pakistani prisoners in India including 265 civil prisoners and 97 fishermen with High Commission for Pakistan New Delhi.

"The Pakistan Government has been calling for early release and repatriation of 15 civil prisoners and 47 fishermen to Pakistan who have completed their sentences and whose nationality has been confirmed and conveyed to India," the FO added.

Moreover, India has been asked to provide immediate consular access to 77 individuals believed to be Pakistani civil prisoners and 113 Pakistani fishermen who are currently in Indian custody.

In January, Pakistan shared a list of 282 Indian prisoners in the country with the High Commission of India.

Last year, Pakistan had released 55 Indian fishermen and five civilians in a gesture of goodwill, Express News reported.

The Indian fishermen and citizens, arrested in Pakistan, were released from Karachi’s Malir jail.